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Ken Hueston grew up with a penchant for bones. According to the Goldstream News Gazette, he began his formal education in pursuit of paleontology, but he soon found that although his instincts were correct, they were slightly misguided—his place was not among dusty and brittle dinosaurs, but in the steam of a kitchen. There, his commitment to local ingredients, handmade cuisine, and chef education would earn him the B.C. Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2008, a spot on enRoute's Best New Restaurant list, and a 2012 feature on Food Network Canada's You Gotta Eat Here.
Today at Smoken Bones Cookshack, after a brief absence, Ken is back as head chef, bringing with him a fresh dose of creativity and heeding the traditions of artisanal cooking, forming his menu's burgers, cheeses, and bacon by hand, without additives. Ken and his apprentices prepare everything on site, using scratch cooking techniques, including smoking food with local Vancouver island woods. Featured on You Gotta Eat Here, their pork and beef ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket stake out the spotlight, though the Cookshack has not forgotten seafood, chicken, and stacked sandwiches. The emphasis on all-natural methods also extends past the cuisine and into the smoking process itself, which employs wood from Vancouver fruit and alder trees.
The forest figures heavily into the restaurant's decor too: in between praising the venue's bacon ice cream, Heed the Hedonist recounts "exposed ducts and exposed wood everywhere, including a plywood bar that was fashioned from a Douglas Fir that had blown down during a windstorm." Big-screen televisions augment the natural appeal, broadcasting sports on game nights, and live blues music twangs during special events.

Property Location
Located in Victoria (Langford), The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria is convenient to Goldstream Provincial Park and All Fun Recreation Park. This 4-star hotel is within the vicinity of Langford Lanes and Luxton Park.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 156 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwaves. Your pillowtop bed comes with triple sheeting, cotton sheets, and down comforters. Rooms have private balconies where you can take in city and golf course views. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, while DVD players and cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature deep soaking bathtubs and makeup/shaving mirrors.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. After practicing your swing on the golf course, you can enjoy other recreational amenities including a golf course and a health club. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.
Dining
Satisfy your appetite at the hotel's restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or stay in and take advantage of 24-hour room service. At the end of the day, relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and limo/town car service. Planning an event in Victoria? This hotel has 4629 square feet (417 square meters) of space consisting of a ballroom, banquet facilities, and a meeting/conference room. Free self parking is available onsite.

Efficiency/Studio Hotel Year Built 1981 Year Remodeled 2009 Additional Property Description A great hotel in Victoria, BC with an excellent harbor location, offering a delicious complimentary full breakfast, well appointed rooms and personalized service. Ideally located right at the inner harbor downtown Victoria, our Victoria, BC hotel is a short walk to major attractions, restaurants, shops and ocean side paths. Our beautiful rooms, spacious one bedroom suites and luxurious penthouse apartments are 100 percent non smoking and each include a private balcony, free Wi Fi, a refrigerator, microwave and DVD player. Ideal for extended stays, our Victoria accommodations also include well equipped kitchen studios and suites available for weekly and monthly stays. Relax in the outdoor seasonal heated pool, open from mid May to early October, indoor whirlpool, dry sauna or the steam room. Enjoy a complimentary guest computer with printer and our convenient on site 24 hour guest laundry facilities. Our award winning staff is on hand 24 hours to assist with concierge and any other requests to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Popular attractions near our Victoria, BC hotel include the Royal British Columbia Museum, Parliament Buildings, Undersea Gardens, the Empress Tea Room, Miniature World, the Bug Zoo, Horse drawn carriage tours, Beacon Hill Park, departures for whale watching tours, seasonal, and all the entertainment the Inner Harbor has to offer. A short drive away is the Craigdarroch Castle, Government House and the Victoria Art Gallery. A must see is the world famous Butchart Gardens, open year round, about a 30 minute drive from the downtown area. For an exceptional stay, friendly service, lovely rooms and the convenience of Victorias best location, make a reservation at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Inner

As golfers line up tricky, round-deciding rolls on the green of the signature 17th hole at Olympic View Golf Club, they might have to block out an unusual sound. Just behind the green, water crashes earthward for more than 60 feet over one of the course’s two waterfalls. The dramatic feature generates a roaring din as well as a beautiful backdrop for players as they near the end of their scenic golfing excursions.
Such tranquil scenes are common on the 6,600-yard course framed by the dense forest of south Vancouver Island and the looming profiles of Olympic Mountains peaks. But the calm can be deceptive, as the Bill Robinson–designed layout aims to challenge. Twelve lakes are interspersed throughout the site, and numerous bunkers intimidate golfers with their depth and walls etched with tally marks. This signature mix of beauty and difficulty earned the club a four-star rating from Golf Digest in 2008, as well as a ranking of 10th Best Public Golf Course in British Columbia by Score Golf in 2011.
The GBC Golf Academy at Olympic View Golf Club aims to prepare golfers mentally and physically for playing the most enjoyable golf of their lives. Located on 14 acres, the academy features nine large grass driving areas with target greens as far as 330 yards. In three short-game areas, players practice putts, pitches, and fake surprise at finding the ball in the cup. The amply appointed grounds complement a teaching philosophy that encourages development of a repeatable swing tailored to the individual’s physical capabilities.
Course at a Glance:
* 18-hole, par 72 course
* Total length of 6,600 yards from the back tees
* Course rating of 72.7 from the back tees
* Course slope of 133 from the back tees
* Four sets of tees per hole

Property Location
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa is in the heart of Victoria, walking distance from Pacific Rim College and Maritime Museum of British Columbia. This 4-star resort is within close proximity of Bastion Square and Open Space.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 240 air-conditioned rooms featuring iPod docking stations and minibars. Your pillowtop bed comes with triple sheeting. Windows open to city and courtyard views. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, and flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature handheld showerheads and designer toiletries.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including outdoor tennis courts, an indoor pool, and a sauna. Additional features include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and wedding services. Guests can catch a ride on the complimentary shuttle, which operates within 10 km.
Dining
Grab a bite to eat at the resort's restaurant, which features a bar, or stay in and take advantage of 24-hour room service. At the end of the day, relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily for a fee.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, business services, and audiovisual equipment. Event facilities at this resort consist of conference/meeting rooms, small meeting rooms, and a ballroom. Self parking is available onsite.

Property Location
With a stay at The Oswego Hotel in Victoria (James Bay), you'll be minutes from Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal and British Columbia Parliament Building. This 4-star hotel is within close proximity of Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and Pacific Undersea Gardens.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 80 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. 32-inch high-definition televisions and CD players are provided, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms feature separate bathtubs and showers, designer toiletries, and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and complimentary newspapers, as well as phones with free local calls and voice mail.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a fitness facility, or other amenities including concierge services and a fireplace in the lobby. Additional features include a television in the lobby and complimentary use of a nearby fitness facility.
Dining
Satisfy your appetite at the hotel's restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dining is also available at a coffee shop/café, and room service (during limited hours) is provided. At the end of the day, relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, audiovisual equipment, and currency exchange. Event facilities at this hotel consist of small meeting rooms, banquet facilities, and exhibit space. Parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.

Groupon Guide

Summer music festivals tend to attract people from all walks of life—including some you probably didn’t even know existed. By now, tried-and-true categories like “hipster” and “jock” have branched off into a thousand subdivisions, and it can be fun to see how many you can spot at the next festival you attend. To help you out, we braved Pitchfork Music Festival for the *sole purpose* of compiling this list of 10 people we can’t seem to avoid at summer music festivals. For better or worse.The Guy Who Stole Your Grandma’s CameraThe first digital cameras hit the consumer market in the late 1990s, or right around the time this guy was born. He must have missed the memo. To this guy, a camera is as much a fashion accessory as a means of image reproduction, but we can’t be too hard on him. For starters, he’s being eco-friendly by recycling grandma’s old Nikon, and there’s no denying the old workhorse looks good in that new leather case.The Guy Who Artfully Photographs MudA close relative of the abovementioned camera guy, this guy sees beauty where others see only dirt. In this case, the equipment matters less than the man. And who is that man, exactly? He is an artist. He is a sensitive intellectual. He is the proud new owner of some seriously mud-caked shoes.The Couple That Sleeps Through Every SetFor some people, summer music festivals are a source of endless anxiety. They fret about things like lining up the perfect schedule, finding a bathroom that’s halfway usable, and navigating their way through a sweaty mass of humanity. Not this couple, though. This couple could teach a master’s seminar in how to chill, which they’d hold on the green lawn toward the back of the crowd. But first they have to wake up.The Guy Who Won’t Put His #%$! Phone AwayIs there anything more annoying than the guy or gal who drops $300 on festival tickets and proceeds to spend the entire day texting away, completely oblivious to the live music right in front of them? This is why millennials get a bad rap. If you don’t believe us, ask the guys who actually work at concert venues.The Guy with the Statement ShirtYou’ll probably run into several thousand strangers at a given music festival, and there’s no way you’ll have the time to school them all on the finer points of life’s philosophy. This guy knows that, which is why he’s come prepared with a shirt that says all he needs to say, to whomever cares to read his chest. You might not agree with him all the time, but one thing is certain: every time he opens his wardrobe, the world is never quite the same.The Guy with No Shirt (But Lots of Hair)Why does this guy always end up next to you in the crowd? Why is he always the sweatiest and the hairiest? It’s not even about looks—T-shirts soak up a lot of moisture, and without one this guy’s skin transforms into a furry slip’n’slide. Oh, well. At least he seems fun to hang out with.The Flower ChildrenIn another, decidedly less hip life, these girls might have found their calling as botanists. Here, however, they’re doing the best they can to revive the Summer of Love. Some might find this trend insufferable, but there’s something to be said for the preponderance of flowers and flower prints at outdoor festivals. If you’re going to be in nature, you might as well be one with nature. Just try to ignore all that garbage on the ground.
The Guy Who’s Over ItIt’s hot out. There are too many people. The beer is warm and the band is out of tune. There are plenty of reasons why a music festival can go wrong in a hurry, and this guy bears the weight of knowing them all. His look says “What am I doing here?,” and we don’t have the answer. Nobody has the answer. You should go home and take a nap, guy. You’ve earned it.
The Girl Who’s Way More Prepared Than YouLook at that condescending smile. It’s a smile that says, “Sure, I remembered my poncho. Did you really think it wasn’t going to rain?” It says, “I can’t see your squinting eyes through my UV-protection sunglasses.” She probably even has some toilet-seat covers stowed away somewhere in that tote. To be fair, though, it isn’t her fault you chose flip-flops over boots.
The Wandering ChildWhose child is this? Check your pockets. Is somebody missing a child?Photos: Jeremey Watson and Grant WalshThe Fans and Artists Who Are Nailing This Festival-Fashion Thing

With no gears, shifters, or even brakes, fixed-gear bicycles (“fixies” in common parlance) are bikes at their most basic. Riding fixed-gear bikes can be both rewarding and practical, though you’ll have to get used to being without some of the comforts that normally come standard on road and mountain bikes. To help you figure out if a fixie might be right for you, we spoke with Luis Iñiguez and Lesley Tweedie of Chicago’s Kozy’s Cyclery and Roscoe Village Bikes, respectively. These two seasoned pros explained some of the benefits and drawbacks of riding fixed-gear bikes. Spoiler alert: they’re not just for hipsters.Riding ExperiencePRO: Fixies are arguably the “purest” form of bike out there. No gears or shifters means a simple, no-nonsense riding style. Pedal forward to go forward; pedal backward to slow down or go in reverse. This engaged riding experience is part of what makes fixies so unique. As Tweedie puts it, fixies help riders “feel at one with the bike” and achieve a better sense of control. CON: Mastering a fixie takes time and patience. Iñiguez and Tweedie have the same advice for anyone looking to start riding a fixed-gear bike: practice, practice, practice. Getting used to starting and stopping without the comforts of shifting and braking takes time, especially in an urban riding environment. “For city riding, it’s definitely something to get used to,” Iñiguez says. If you’re just starting to get comfortable with riding a bike, adds Tweedie, “fixed might not be your best option.”FitnessPRO: You’re constantly moving and using your muscles. Since riders need to start and stop their momentum without the gradual, easy buildup afforded by a set of gears, pedaling a fixie can quickly turn into a challenging lower-body workout. “It forces you to spin the whole time you’re riding,” Tweedie explains. CON: There are better options out there. If you’re looking to use your bike solely for fitness, Tweedie suggests looking beyond fixies. “I wouldn’t recommend fixed [if your goal is getting in shape],” she says. Instead, she recommends something like a hybrid road/mountain bike, which can better handle hills and longer rides.TerrainPRO: For flatland commuters, fixies get you there quickly. If you plan on using your bike for short trips or commutes in mostly flatland areas, a fixie can be great. Its light weight means that it can build some serious speed—fixies have roots in track racing, after all. “Lots of messengers ride fixed-gears,” Tweedie notes, though she stresses the importance of practicing on a fixie before taking it to the street. CON: Hills can be tough to power through. “There are no gears, so the kind of terrain you can ride on is more limited,” Tweedie says of fixies’ versatility. “You need to be strong to go uphill,” Iñiguez adds, so if you know your commute is a hilly one, a fixie might not be for you.MaintenancePRO: Fewer parts means there’s less to fix. Since a fixie lacks the moving parts typically found on other bikes, there’s naturally less to repair. “It’s a low-maintenance type of bike,” Iñiguez says. That minimal upkeep is what compels some riders to swear by fixies. CON: You’ll have to keep an eye on your chain and wheels. Fixie riders should, however, keep an eye on a few potential trouble areas. The bikes’ lack of derailleurs, specifically, can lead to issues with their chains. “Derailleurs help maintain chain tension … there’s nothing to maintain [chain tension] on a fixed gear,” Tweedie explains, adding that without the derailleurs, a fixie’s chain is susceptible to going slack. A fixie’s wheels can undergo a good amount of strain, too. “There’s lots of torque on a fixed rear wheel,” Tweedie adds, noting that all that manual slowing and braking can put a lot of stress on the back wheel. In any case, as long as you’re diligent about maintaining your bike, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.Now, ride on and prosper.Photo: Damon’s new ride by Stephanie Sicore under CC BY 2.0.

While the rest of the United States is still trying to determine the difference between alligators and crocodiles, Gulf Coast residents figured it out long ago: alligators are delicious. So tasty that their meat is commonplace in the region’s grocery stores and restaurants.
It also doesn’t hurt that the New Orleans archbishop categorizes the water-dwelling reptiles as seafood, adding a new ingredient to Lent’s Friday dinners.
Despite their popularity along the Gulf Coast, alligator dishes haven’t caught on in other parts of the country. At least not yet, said Mark Palicki, vice president of marketing for restaurant supplier Fortune Fish & Gourmet in Bensenville, IL. With whole-animal consumption and eco-friendly meats taking center stage as of late, alligator is poised to make its grand entrance. All it will take is one high-profile chef to focus on alligator, he said. “Then, other chefs will follow in abundance.”
So what’s the appeal of alligator meat?
A Familiar Flavor“Tastes like chicken” may be a cliché, but in the case of alligator meat, it’s pretty accurate. Some describe it as a brinier version of chicken, while others say it’s similar to pork. Mark said alligator’s flavor is akin to both meats but with a slightly tougher texture.
Low in Fat, High in ProteinAlligator’s flavor mimics chicken, but the meat’s nutritional content does not. Alligator is filled with significantly more protein than chicken and has less fat, Mark said. Plus, alligator’s fat is wrapped around its meat, making it easy to remove before cooking.
Culinary CreativityThe most common alligator dishes feature the meat breaded and fried into nuggets or ground into sausage. However, alligator meat can be used in most chicken recipes, whether that’s in the form of cutlets, nuggets, stews, or Mark’s favorite—kebabs. And don’t be afraid to use the reptile in its entirety. The most tender sections of alligators are the tail loins and jowls, but as long as the meat is properly tenderized, any cut can be used.
Alligator at Its BestIf Mark’s suggestions aren’t enough, there are plenty of alligator dishes at restaurants across the country to serve as inspiration.
New Orleans flavors fill the menu at Henry’s Louisiana Grill in Acworth, GA, with dishes such as hot-chili gator and alligator-tail po’ boys.For “real Nawlins food,” hit up New Orleans’ Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, whose self-proclaimed “lousy food” includes a savory shrimp and alligator-sausage cheesecake.Known for its exotic meats, Chicago’s Frontier serves fried alligator legs in a cayenne-maple reduction, gator scallopini, and even a whole roasted alligator stuffed with chicken.The chefs at Philadelphia’s Pattaya Grill award adventurous eaters with obscure Thai dishes, such as alligator stir-fry.The owner’s Yucatan background is evident throughout the offerings at Gilberth’s Rotisserie & Grill in San Francisco, including the tacos de lagarto, made with grilled alligator, fresh avocado, and two kinds of salsa.Check out some related reads:The Best Places to Eat a Whole AnimalFrom suckling pig to roasted alligator, these restaurants offer some of the nation’s best nose-to-tail dishes.The Spectacle and the Savagery of Roasted PigOnce exclusively reserved for luaus and Shriners’ summer picnics, pig roasts are now entering the fine-dining arena. We take a look at the experience from the point of view of the chefs who prepare the roasted pigs and the diners who dig in.